The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-10
FASHIONABLE WOMEN AND THE
PASSIONATE FATHERS.
Marshall Wilder, the Pet Of the
Prince, the HunchbAck Jester
OF New York,
HOW MB&. BROWN MADE BROWN
TAKE MRS. Smith
Out OF the Theater Under Threat Of
Direst PenaltiesSMIss Daisy's
Danger.

makes the piety OF our fashionable
women. Let us not be incredulous
or Aippant, but accept the devOtions
OF the fair as good aud sincere. At
the same time it must be allowed
that stylishness is prime ingredient
in their peaitence. Year by year
their demonstrations change in meth
cd. This season they have taken a
notion to be guided by the Passion
list monks, who maintain monastery
across the Hudson at Hoboken. Six
teen Of these vigorously vowed holy
men live there in the utmost plain
ness oil food aud attire. They will
wear no shoes, aud in the coolest
weather their sandals hardly lift their
bare feet from the snow as they 20
about the neighborhood. 1t is Ro-
man Catholic institution, and yet it
is a sudden fashion in the SWEETEST
set to 40 there for spiritual direction
rs to the observance of Lent. A
soterie OF abouta dozen matrons and
maidens have resorted to the monas-
terry, to take the advice of the provin-
siai, as the Father Superior is called.
He il an austere old man, and he
receives his strange callers in digni-
fed pOliteness. He tells them at once
that, as they are Protestants, they
cannot get the best Offices OF his
faith, but he listens to their state
mepts of special faults, and fixes pc
nances fer them. These consist Of
abstinence from meat, or even diet
Of stale bread seclusion for the sake
Of meditation and repentance; and
the giving up Of some cherished pro-
feet.
The prime pet OF the wealthiest
bellies Of New York is the most
tantastieally ugly man conceivable.
There isno offense to him in saying
so, for that is his fortune. His name
is Marshall p, Wilder, and he is a
frightiully misshapen hunchback.
His face is awiully mobile, and
he can put it through wide range
Of wonderfully exaggerated express
sions. His career is curious illus
tration of shsewdness and audacity,
He made up his mind, five years ago,
TO become a professional jester. His
plan was to give private entertain
monts in the parlors Of the rich, after
the manner of numerous London
performers, but he couldn't get his
scheme fairly started. His services
were accepted for public charity en-
tertainments, but he was likely to
starve 10 death at that sort of en-
ployment. He said to himself, that
if the countenance of the Prince Of
Wales had done 80 much for the
beautiful Langtry, it ought to be
potent for the ugly Wilder, But how
TO get IT'D The problem seemed diff
6cult, but he solved it. He wrote a
letter Introducing himself to Wales.
He pat il in an envelope about foot
long and covered with splendor of
seals and monographs. This he took
70 London. The letter Of such Won
drous aspect let him, with only three
efforts, right into royal presence at
a club.
What do you want of me?" asked
the Prince, puzzled by the strange
missive.
Gust to tell you one little story"
Wilder replied.
Very wei"
The Srotesque dwarf gave an anec-
dote, illustrating it with such grim
aces Ms royalty had never seen before,
He laughed, and called for more, A
knot Of club men gathered, and for
an hour reared at the new story teller.
From that came Waless favor and
season of profit. Wilder returned
with many letters from intensely
swell Londoners; accounts Of his
appearance before swell drawing room
audiences had preceded him, and so
inevitably our best society took him
coddlingly into its arms. lie is making
money fast. Moreover, the dainty
bellies pamper and caress him. Last
evening | saw him in a prOscenium
box at theater, in the midst Of a
group OF girls from Murray Hill, and
they were treating him as they might
pet monkey.
A stOpt, pompous man escorted a
woman of very lackadaisial manner
81 seat in the center of q city thea
ter before the rise of the curtain.
The two chairs adjoining we're va.
cant. Inc lady leaned up against
her escort in the yielding, affection
ate style generally attributed to the
sick cat and the hot brick. The
play proceeded, and this couple en-
dured It's tedium rather better than
the rest of the audience, being
buoyed up by sentimental contact
and sustaining consciousness OF
guilt. Little did that eusmored pair
dream Of impending evil, but even
as the curtain tell on the second act,
and they held sweet converse togeth-
err, the cloud was gathering. Some
accident had detained the party hold
ing tickets for the next seats, and
the long iutermission between the
acts was half over, when an usher
escorted two women down to them.
There was a CLEAN of surprised and
indignant recognition in the eyes Of
the elder OF them as she took the
seat next to the woman with the
pompous mau. Ga the countenauces
OF both man and woman one could
read confusion aud uncertainty az TO
the finale of the encounter The
woman tried TO put good face on it,
and said TO the newcomer, in a meek.
.conciliating tone: I'm very glad 10
see YOU, Mrs. Brown
Are you, Mrs Smith," responded
the other; Il should not suppose
YOU would be. | presume you are
living with Mr.. Brown"
"Oh, Mrs, Brown tromblingly
whispered the wretched little stick
Of woman.
Brown was livid. An important
member of his club, with family,
was sitting Just across the aisle. A
number Of amused persons were
watching developments. Brown was
we'll known to half the house aud so
was me lady who had just come in.
Now. then" she said, turning to
the pertarbed Brown, lust take
this woman out of this theater at
once, or shall tell these folks who